Waka, waka, there’s a lotta talka about PAC-MAN at this year’s New York Comic Con (NYCC), especially when it comes to PAC-MAN: Snack Breaks.
Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America heads to the show to share that this video game icon is back on the screen. At the PAC-MAN: Snack Breaks panel, gamers and show watchers got a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the animated series’ creative process.
Before NYCC, fans saw the first episode of PAC-MAN: Snack Breaks on YouTube this past May. “Welcome to New PAC-CITY” follows PAC-MAN’s birthday, his new city life, and his mission to chase down TEAM GHOST.
The animated series currently has five episodes for your viewing pleasure, with new bite-sized shorts launching every month. Fans can catch up before Episode 6’s premiere on Oct. 16 by visiting the PAC-MAN Official YouTube channel.
On Friday, Oct. 9, NYCC guests learned more about these shorts from the series’ creators. Speaking on the animated series, developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment and Cartuna Studios, were Monica Mazel, Noah Pardo, Lukas Arnold, Adam Belfer, Yumi Miyazaki, Katy Dunn, and Garrett Beltis.
“With PAC-MAN: Snack Breaks, we get to answer the question, ‘What does he do when he’s not being played in an arcade or in a video game console?’” Belfer says. “That’s where New PAC-CITY comes in. It’s an environment of colorful characters…we get to define their personalities, relationships, rivalries, and, of course, get them into trouble.”
Dunn opens the discussion by explaining why an animated series was the perfect format for the video game icon. The PAC-MAN brand supervisor explains how this series allows them to create new audiences while bringing new content to longtime fans.
“This adventure of a series gives fans the opportunity to connect with the characters in different ways, and we saw it as a priority right now for the community,” Dunn says.
Miyazaki, the PAC-MAN Brand Manager at Bandai, adds to Dunn’s point by elaborating on the importance of telling fresh stories. At the panel, Miyazaki shares that computer animation allows them to celebrate PAC-MAN’s legacy in new ways.
“It was important for us to have the personality of PAC-MAN, and the world that they [the show] added, being internally connected to the games,” Miyazaki shares. “The talented creators at Cartuna have animated those qualities into expressive character interactions and comedic elements that can only be achieved through animation.”
While the animated series is a new world of adventure, gamers can still expect the PAC-MAN they know and love. Beltis speaks on the creative process of building stories around the character and Team Ghost. After exploring 45 years of PAC-MAN history, he had to ask the question, “What environment would he relate to most, especially as we’re bringing him into a new era?”
This is where New PAC-CITY comes to life. Beltis also explains their gracious support from Bandai and how the creative team got to pitch fun ideas for different themes, such as PAC-MAN becoming a soccer ball at the end of their World Cup episode.
More creativity also comes from Mazel, the series’s production manager. Mazel unites the animation, design, audio, voice, and production teams through a spiderweb-like approach.
“As a producer, part of my job is just looking at a big picture of the spider-web,” Mazel explains. “I give people as much information as possible, get everyone to work together, and give them the tools needed to do the best job possible.”
As the series director, Pardo also shares his role in working with the show’s creative team. Pardo shares much love for the entire creative process, including their storyboard artist, their designers and animators, animation riggers, sound designers, lighting team, and, of course, the voice actors.
This leads the panel to Arnold, the voices behind Pac-Wizard and Clyde. After showing his vocal talent, Arnold explains how he found the voices for the two animated characters. While Clyde is a blend of adopting his personality and embodying a person from his experience, Pac-Wizard’s voice came easily.
“I started with the building blocks,” Arnold says. “He’s a wizard, so I’m going to make him British. The description of him says he’s wise, grandfatherly, eccentric, and laughs at his own jokes. There, I immediately thought of his voice as a guy who is annoyed that his grandkids don’t move as fast as he does.”
After these behind-the-scenes stories, fans finally got to see the WAKA-WEEN episode of PAC-MAN: Snack Breaks. As if this wasn’t enough, the panel also gave recognition to the PAC-MAN cosplayers and gave guests a surprise visit from PAC-MAN himself.
If you want more PAC-MAN adventures, stay up-to-date with Bandai as they have new merch coming soon. NYCC guests can also learn more by visiting them at Booth No. 2319.
